The Banks High School jet was hoisted this morning from its perch at the school in South East Lake and loaded onto a flatbed truck to be taken to the Southern Museum of Flight later today.
Museum Director Jim Griffin said workers began arriving at the school about 5:30 this morning. A crane lifted the 1950s-era F-86D from its mount at the front entrance of the school about 7:30.
Griffin said it could take a couple of years before the plane is ready for an outdoor exhibit at the museum. He said many layers of accumulated paint -- it's painted red, white and blue -- will have to be removed. A new canopy will be attached over the cockpit, and authentic instruments will be placed in the cockpit.
Walter Bryant
Birmingham News
27th September 2007
RESTORATION
)
)
)
)
)